Welcome to... "Micro-Lesson 203" This Micro Lesson works through a Pop-Rock style breakdown of an eighth-note riff in the key of "E Minor."

The riff is centered around an open 6th string "E" bass note and uses mostly "E Minor" Pentatonic scale to operate the connecting runs between the initial strike of the open "E" bass-tone and the turnaround chord changes in measures two and four.

The open "E" string starts the riff at the up beat of four of our pick-up measure. The "E Minor Pentatonic" scale fills the gap into measure two where open position power-chords of "G5 and A5," are helping to turn around the riff.

A modified line similar to the one from the first measure brings in measure four where a strong turnaround boosts the return of the top of the riff using "G and D" major triads.

Overall, this riff is not particularly difficult to perform and can be learned fairly quickly up to speed. However, it is important to pay close attention to how measure three moves into measure four. A fast position shift is required to jump into those triads at the last bar of the riff. Enjoy!